VIEWPOINT: Celebrating Super Bowl Sunday In Kuwait

by ABC-7 Executive Producer Kristine Rivers

As Super Bowl XLIII got underway, I was in Northeast El Paso eating spicy wings and cheering on the Steelers, but, that is only because my beloved Chiefs are horrible. At the same time, on the other side of the planet, my husband Chris was in a tent in Kuwait with dozens of Pennsylvania National Guard members watching the big game on a big screen T.V.

It was 2:00 a.m. there, but you couldn’t tell in the tent. Chris said all the guys were fired up even though there was no beer or wings in sight. The Pennsylvania guys were glued to the screen, but only Chris and one other Ft. Bliss soldier got up for the festivities. Sleep is a precious commodity and unless your team is in the big game, I can’t blame anyone for choosing to rest. Chris sent me several pictures from inside the tent. It’s not a family room or a sports bar, but it’s not bad considering these guys are headed to war.

I enjoyed the game with members of my new military family. We laughed at the commercials and cheered for our respective teams. We also talked about our first week alone. It was harder than we thought it would be. One of the hardest parts for us was Sunday morning. All of us would attend church services on Sunday morning with our husbands. That is one time when it is very obvious something is missing. When it’s time for the sign of peace, I don’t get the hug and kiss I usually get. My goal at next week’s mass is to not be the crazy lady who won’t stop crying to herself!

We are all tough women, but this first week took a toll on us. One of my friends, Jennifer, is a new mom. She is quickly learning how to be a single mom for the next 12 months. Her husband Wayne gave their daughter a bear that plays his voice when you squeeze it. It’s a little piece of him she can grab onto. Chris sent me a picture of Jennifer’s husband and one of my friend Laura’s husband. I emailed my friends the pictures of their husbands today and both were so happy to see their men! I guess it’s all about the little things you can grab onto.

Next year, when the Chiefs are dominating Super Bowl XLIV, I plan on eating wings, cheering loudly and, of course, grabbing a hold of my husband’s hand.